Vettel, who collected wins in China and Britain, had emerged as Button's chief rival but Webber's maiden victory on his team-mate's home soil has also put the Australian in the frame for the title race.

BBC: Button eager to stop Red Bull run

Regardless, Mr Kerry might bypass Mr Edwards, whose chief weakness has been his short service in government, for a more experienced running mate.

ECONOMIST: A bruising battle ahead | The

Cheney was chief executive officer of Halliburton from 1995 to 2000, when he became George Bush's running mate.

CNN: Democrats want Cheney-Halliburton probe